Reviews:
Toni - Don't know about W/X -- you'll have to wait and see!
The Original Bad Girl - Glad you're enjoying the stories! You can also personally e-mail me - the link is on my favorite links/contact me page on my web-site! (If you want!) As for Willow - hard to say!
Slayergirl - Poor Xander... He's going to go to fantasy land one day and never come back!
Just Me -- LOL Xander - gotta love him!
Midnight - thanks for the Positive FB - glad you're enjoying them all - even though this one is your favorite!
Skye - Willow will be home for Christmas. Continue to read to see what happens with Faith! LOL
Chapter 17
Tara opens the dorm room, grumbling quietly. Squeaking out in surprise as she's lifted up in strong arms and twirled around the room. Dropping her book bag, she places her hands on Buffy's shoulders. "Buffy!" Tara cries out before laughing.
"I only had one class, today. All of the rest of them were cancelled. So I've been waiting for you to get back here." Buffy slowly eases Tara down her body, till she's standing on her own feet. "But I did get your bag packed while I was waiting and I put your dirty clothes in one of those plastic bags from the grocery store, that way we can wash them at the house." Buffy smiles hugely.
Tara chuckles quietly. "So you've basically been a bored slayer while I was in class?"
"Yes." Buffy nods her head, before jumping back on the bed flopping down on her back and holding her arms out. "Come here and keep me company for a little while since I've been a good girl."
Tara can't help the laugh that works out of her. Tilting her head she considers the slayer for a moment. Glancing over at the clock, she figures they should have a couple hours before Joyce will be here. Raising an eyebrow she leans down and unties her boots before kicking them off. Slowly easing her hip onto the bed, she places a hand on either side of Buffy, laughing at the slayer bouncing on the bed watching her.
"So…How long is a little while?" Tara questions, biting her lip.
Buffy smirks up at the witch, noticing the twinkling blue eyes looking at her. Wrapping her arms around Tara's neck, she gently urges her down. "Until we can't take it anymore, or my mom shows up." Buffy leans in kissing Tara firmly.
Tara eases her body gently over Buffy's, her body sliding easily between the slayer's legs as she spreads them. Propping her upper body up with her elbows, Tara runs a hand through Buffy's soft hair, smiling happily. Taking her hand, she runs a fingertip over Buffy's eyebrow and down the slayer's cheek, to brush lightly across her lips.
Buffy watches Tara intently as she traces her finger over her face. As she comes to brush it repeatedly over her lips, Buffy sneaks her tongue out to flick the digit teasingly. Running her hands down the witch's back, Buffy groans quietly as Tara pushes her body hard into Buffy's as she reaches her butt cheeks, digging her fingers in gently.
"Goddess!" Tara whimpers, closing her eyes at the shot of arousal coursing through her so quickly and easily. Opening her dark blue eyes, Tara closes the short distance and brushes her lips against Buffy's, placing light, tantalizing kisses first against the top lip, then the bottom. Working her way slowly across Buffy's jaw, making her groan as she finally sucks the slayer's earlobe in her mouth.
Buffy arches her body up against Tara's, growling deeply. Wanting to feel skin, Buffy runs her hands up to un-tuck Tara's shirt before hesitating a moment, trying to decide to go north or south with her hands, whimpering, she slides one hand up over the witch's soft back, while wiggling one hand under the waist band of Tara's skirt and panties, to stroke over the flexing muscles of Tara's ass.
Feeling Buffy's hands against her skin, Tara moans loudly, rocking her body gently against Buffy's. Running one hand down Buffy's neck, across her top to cup her breast, Tara runs her thumb firmly over the quickly hardening nipple. Unable to resist, Tara dives in, kissing Buffy thoroughly, searching out all the hidden secrets in the slayer's mouth, battling against her tongue before nipping the tip gently. Working her hand down, Tara shifts Buffy's shirt up running her fingers over the lace covered breast, before whimpering at not being able to touch skin. Easing up Tara looks down into Buffy's copper colored eyes, smiling momentarily before shifting back on her knees, easing Buffy's shirt up and off before smirking at the front closure bra. Quickly unhooking the bra, Tara slowly uncovers Buffy's breasts, moaning at the sight before her, she shifts her body so her heads even with the slayer's breasts. Running one finger around the crinkled aureole, Tara slowly runs her tongue around the other breast.
"God, Tara! Stop teasing." Buffy moans, pushing her breast up towards the witch's mouth.
"Mmmm. Not teasing." Tara murmurs slowly licking up the breast, stopping just shy of the nipple. "I didn't get much of a chance to enjoy these…." another firm lick from the side of the breast, stopping again before making contact. "lovely, firm…" tongue circling around the rock hard nipple, "delectable breasts." Tara whispers before flicking her tongue firmly over the nipple, making Buffy cry out in pleasure. Quickly laving the nipple for long moments, Tara finally sucks it into her warm mouth, rolling her tongue repeatedly around the hard flesh, while pinching the other nipple lightly between her thumb and forefinger.
"God, don't stop." Buffy whimpers, unconsciously wrapping her legs around the witch, rocking her lower body against Tara's abdomen.
"No, not stop." Tara mutters before kissing her way over to the other breast to lave and suck it repeatedly, pushing her body against Buffy's. Running a hand down to Buffy's waist, before sliding down further over a hip and thigh, Tara grasps the slayer's leg, squeezing gently.
Sucking the nipple, and in turn, half the slayer's breast in her mouth, Tara sucks hard, flicking her tongue against the hard flesh.
"Yes!" Buffy hisses out at the strong suction and tongue. As Tara releases her breasts, and scrapes her teeth gently over her nipple, Buffy rocks her body harder against the witch. As she realizes that's she's close to climaxing just from Tara paying attention to her breasts and the rocking motion of her hips, Buffy slows her body down, panting heavily. "Need…..slow….down." Buffy releases her locked legs, letting them slide from around Tara's waist. Realizing her hands are buried in Tara's hair, she slowly untangles her fingers and urges Tara up to hug her tightly.
"Wasn't finished." Tara whimpers before burying her face in Buffy's neck, sucking the hot, sweaty skin into her heated mouth.
Buffy arches into Tara's mouth, growling deeply before easing over to lie on top of the witch. Easing her body up so Tara's mouth can't distract her, Buffy smirks looking down at Tara, before opening her eyes wide as Tara's hands come up to cup Buffy's breasts firmly. "Ah, hell." Buffy mutters grasping the hands and placing them on either side of the witch, looking at her seriously. "Stop that."
Tara growls before closing her eyes and pushing her head hard into the pillow. "I wasn't done acquainting myself with your breasts, Buffy." Tara almost whines.
"No, but the rate I was going, that wouldn't have been the only thing you would be acquainting yourself with." Buffy admits her body still achy and heavy with desire. "And if I don't stop you now, I'm not so sure if I would be able to stop."
Tara's eyes open and she nods her understanding. "I still wasn't done." Tara softly smiles. "I have a feeling the longer we wait, the quicker we'll hit the edge of no return. And you know what that means."
Buffy sighs watching as Tara's eyes slowly go back to their normal blue color as the passion comes under control. "Yeah, I'll go to hold your hand and the next thing we know, we'll want to jump each other just from that."
"Hmmm." Tara smiles as Buffy finally releases her hands and wraps her arms around the slayer, tugging her down to lay on top of her. "I don't think it'll get that bad, before we…" Tara blushes lightly before placing a kiss against Buffy's cheek.
"Before we have hot monkey loving?" Buffy smirks, finally feeling her body starting to relax as the hard edge eases a little.
"I was thinking more along the lines of hot slayer loving, but…" Tara laughs quietly as Buffy growls.
"Okay, hot slayer loving it is." Buffy agrees chuckling. "Lots and lots of hot slayer loving. With hopefully lots and lots, and lots, and lots, and lots…"
Tara smacks Buffy lightly on the ass. "Are you a record and got caught in a groove?"
"Must have…" Buffy leans up and smirks down at the witch. "Lots of witchy loving, also."
"Oh, definitely." Tara smiles lifting her head off the bed, to press her lips against Buffy's. "I love you." Tara whispers as she lowers her head back to the pillow, smiling softly.
"And do I ever love you." Buffy smiles before easing her body down slightly, to tuck her head against Tara's breasts.
Tara runs her fingers gently through Buffy's hair. "What do you want for Christmas, sweetie?"
"You." Buffy answers quickly. "Just you."
"I don't think I'll fit under the tree." Tara chuckles quietly.
"I just want you to be with me. Hug, kiss, tease and pick on me. That'll be a perfect Christmas." Buffy smiles softly, gently rubbing her cheek against Tara's breast.
"But I want to do or get you something." Tara runs her hands up and down Buffy's bare back.
"Buy yourself the sexiest underwear you can find from Victoria's Secrets and model them for me Christmas morning." Buffy grins into Tara's breast. "I think I've changed my mind, I don't want you in red, I want you in a dark blue that match your eyes when you're aroused. Or maybe a very dark violet, when you're close to…" Buffy leans up grinning down at Tara.
"Close to?" Tara questions with a raised eyebrow.
"When you're close to climaxing, orgasming, screaming my name at the top of your lungs." Buffy whispers before capturing the witch's lips with a soft kiss.
Tara blushes shaking her head at her love. "So, for Christmas you want me in sexy underwear?" At Buffy's nod, she chuckles quietly. "What am I going to do with you?"
"Love me silly." Buffy answers as she lays her head back down.
"You are already silly, sweetie." Tara giggles as Buffy pinches her side lightly. "I should get up to gather what art supplies I need to take to your mother's."
"Okay." Buffy sighs before rolling off Tara to stand up beside the bed. Looking down at herself, she smirks before fastening her bra back. Looking around she finally locates her shirt hanging off the lamp. Chuckling she grabs it and pulls it on.
Tara giggles glancing at Buffy as she gathers her supplies together.
"Mom's here." Buffy grumbles looking at Tara. "You all decent?"
"Yes, you didn't take my clothes off." Tara smirks at the slayer.
"That'll be remedied tonight." Buffy grins wickedly before walking to the door and opening it as her mom raises her hand to knock. "Hi, Mom. Tara's finishing gathering her supplies."
Joyce jumps back and places a hand over her heart. "Don't do that!" Taking a deep breath to get control of her racing heart, she shakes a finger at Buffy. "It's not nice giving your mother a heart attack."
"Sorry." Buffy smiles apologetically at her mother. Turning she gathers up Tara's bag that she placed the clothes in, throwing it over her shoulder before walking over to Tara and squatting down beside the witch. "The easel's going, right?"
"Yes." Tara glances up smiling at the slayer. Looking back down, she finishes putting her paints in her carry-all, along with her brushes and other paint paraphernalia. Glancing around she quickly stands, reaching for the picture her teacher gave her of his wife, tucking it away in a side pocket of her bag. Opening the bottom drawer on her dresser, she pulls out her old t-shirt and sweat pants that she paints in, attested to by the fact that they're covered in multi-colored paint splatters, that no amount of washing will ever get out. Tucking them in her bag, she glances around her room as Buffy picks up her easel, balancing it easily over her other shoulder, Tara shrugs and looks at Joyce. "I guess that's all I need."
"If you forget anything, we can always come back." Joyce smiles.
Tara nods, grabbing her purse and keys as they walk out of her room. Making sure the door locks behind her, she follows Joyce down the stairs and out to the Jeep. Placing her items in the back after Joyce unlocks and opens it. She grabs the easel from Buffy and lays it down, smiling as Buffy tosses the other bag in the back. "Did you want to drive over to the parking lot closer to the art building?" Tara questions turning to Joyce.
Joyce looks up at the beautiful day and grins. "I've been cooped up inside all day, if you don't mind we can walk."
"That's fine I'm used to walking everywhere." Tara shakes her head, grinning as Buffy wraps her arm around her waist.
"Want to talk about walking everywhere?" Buffy grumbles good-naturedly, grinning at her mother.
"Yes, well you and vehicles are not known for getting along, dear." Joyce smirks at her daughter.
"I know, I know." Buffy laughs quietly. "Tara, I didn't think to ask. But do you have a driver's license?"
Tara shakes her head looking down. "No, f-father wouldn't allow it." Tara admits quietly. "Of course, I can't afford a car, so it's kind of a moot point, anyway." Tara softly continues.
Buffy silently snarls before hugging Tara tighter to her side. "Maybe we can see if Xander, Mom or Giles will teach you, if you want to learn."
Joyce nods her head in agreement. "I would be willing to teach you."
"Thanks." Tara smiles, glancing at the older woman. As they walk up to the Art Building, Tara digs the keys out of her pocket before unlocking the door. Allowing Buffy and Joyce ahead of her, she turns and makes sure it latches back properly before leading the way to the storage area. Tara smiles as she flips on the light after unlocking and entering the room. Waving her hand towards one corner where there were probably closer to a hundred paintings, she blushes looking down at the ground. "That's them over there."
Joyce raises an eyebrow at the stacks of paintings covered with sheets to protect them. Turning back to Tara, she watches Buffy gently place a finger under her chin, raising it.
"Please." Buffy whispers looking into shy blue eyes, smiling as she watches Tara smile at her.
Turning, Joyce walks over to the paintings gently uncovering them, before kneeling beside them looking through the first stack with a critical eye, she grins, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck rise like they only do when she's come across a great find. Replacing the sheet she moves to the next stack, inhaling deeply at the riot of colors jumping out at her from the paintings in this stack, shaking her head at the talent of the young woman standing shyly behind her. Not able to resist, Joyce quickly, but reverently works her way through the canvas' looking at all the paintings. Stopping on one that was a beautiful landscape, with the setting sun shooting a myriad of colors through the sky, with the snow-covered mountains in the background majestically rising, almost like they were trying to touch the sun before it disappeared.
"This would look beautiful hanging above the mantle." Joyce whispers, not realizing that Buffy and Tara had walked up directly behind her, so Buffy could see some of the paintings, also.
"Then it's yours." Tara gently reaches around grasping the painting.
"Oh, Tara. I couldn't." Joyce looks up at the woman with shocked eyes.
"It isn't your choice." Tara smiles crookedly at the woman. "If you must, you can consider it an early Christmas present. I can get the supplies and frame it for you, if you want."
"You can do your own framing?" Joyce looks in surprise at Tara.
"It isn't that hard." Tara smiles. "I just don't bother framing the pictures, unless I'm going to hang them." Tara blushes momentarily. "Or, I guess, sell them. But, since I haven't even really thought about selling them…"
Joyce slowly stands, replacing the last sheet before brushing her slacks off with her hands. "Well, I suggest you might want to think about framing your paintings. You can borrow the basement to put the supplies in, and the paintings, for that matter. That way we can discuss what we think would set off each painting the best. Joyce chuckles quietly as shocked blue eyes look at her in disbelief. "Yes, I want to have a showing of your paintings. I would be a fool not to. As you're framing the paintings, we can work out pricing for each one, and I'll number them doing the paperwork as we go."
Buffy smiles hugely before hugging her mother tightly. "I guess that means her paintings are really, really good, huh?"
"Yes, dear, they are." Joyce nods her head, squeezing her daughter back. "And I guess that means I need to give you a finder's fee, for finding this gem."
Buffy smirks as she pulls away. "I'm sure we can figure out something." Buffy giggles at her mother's narrowing eyes.
"Buffy." Tara reprimands softly, smiling at the slayer.
"Okay, okay. I'll be nice." Buffy snickers quietly before closing the distance between her and the witch, placing a brief kiss on the full pouty lips. "But, I'm going to insist on lots and lots of kisses in payment."
"Oh, get a room." Joyce grumbles good-naturedly at her daughter. "Come on, let's go to the grocery store, that way I can get home and start baking pies."
"We'll help." Buffy and Tara both speak up at the same time, before looking at each other and laughing softly.
"You two are scary." Joyce winks at the two women.
Buffy holds her hand out for the painting, carrying it lovingly as they walk back to the vehicle to do the grocery shopping.
"Joyce, I really wish you'd…" Tara's interrupted by Joyce looking at her with narrowed eyes. "Okay." Tara whimpers quietly.
"I have told you again and again, that the four or five dollars I spent on the ingredients for your casserole is not to be worried about. So, please don't bring it up again." Joyce starts chuckling as Tara pouts her lip and kicks her foot against the kitchen floor. "You look just like a little five year old kid that got her favorite toy taken away from her."
Tara looks up with laughing blue eyes and a huge grin on her face. "Well, in a way, I did get my favorite toy taken away from me." Tara glances out the kitchen window to the dark night beyond.
Joyce laughs as she sips on her tea. The two women having finished baking the pies a little while ago, Tara had even pre-prepared her sweet potato dish, so they were waiting for Buffy to get back from patrol. "I'll have to let Buffy know, she's a toy now."
"That may not be a good idea." Tara giggles for a moment. "She'll want to be play…." Tara blushes deeply and looks down at her cup of tea.
"Played with all the time, yes dear. I know." Joyce smirks at the blushing witch. "You two, still haven't…" Joyce trails off delicately.
"No." Tara shakes her head before lifting her tea and taking a small sip. Biting her lip, she looks up at Joyce. "Can I ask you a really big favor?"
Joyce sets her mug down and nods her head, watching Tara. "Of course you can."
"Would you maybe take me to the mall sometime without Buffy knowing?" Tara blushes again, but keeps eye contact with Joyce.
Joyce raises an eyebrow at Tara's blush, but nods her head. "I don't see any problem with that. Do I want to know why you want to go to the mall without Buffy knowing about it?"
Tara bites down on her lip again, blushing even darker. "She kind of asked for a specific Christmas gift."
Joyce chuckles quietly. "Let me guess, it's something that you wear, but only Buffy will see?" As Tara quickly nods her head and looks down, Joyce laughs quietly. "That's good, I actually need to go to Victoria's Secrets and pick up Buffy's normal Christmas stocking stuffers, also."
Tara buries her face in her hand as she laughs. Finally getting control of her laughter, she looks back up to a grinning Joyce and shakes her head. "Nothing like talking to my girlfriend's mother about buying sexy underwear to wear for her daughter. I think there is something fundamentally wrong about this." Tara's shoulders start to shake again as laughter comes bubbling out.
"There probably is, but I'm not going to look for it." Joyce laughs, shaking her head. "You make her happy, and for that, I would willingly buy out the whole store." Joyce comments sincerely, covering Tara's hand with hers. "I seriously haven't seen her this happy in many, many years. Thank you."
Tara smiles softly and nods her head. "I honestly don't think I've ever been as happy as I am with your daughter, Joyce. She switches from being shy to sexy, to breathtakingly beautiful, to rotten, to the most loving person, in mere seconds. Of course, she's always beautiful, but…" Tara trails off, smiling softly as she thinks about Buffy. "Sometimes there's this glow that seems to come from deep inside her that just bursts from her. Goddess, I love her so much." Tara shakes her head running a finger around the top of her cup. "To think what I might have missed out on, if I hadn't accepted her offer for lunch that day."
"I'm stubborn. I wouldn't have taken no for an answer." Buffy whispers walking into the kitchen. "Or I would have hounded you until you did accept." Buffy winks at her mom before wrapping her arms around Tara and resting her chin on her shoulder.
Tara tilts her head against Buffy's, pulling one hand down away from her tea to stroke softly over Buffy's arm. "How was patrol, sweetie?"
"Boring. I think I killed all the demons that were here." Buffy admits shrugging her shoulders. Placing a kiss on Tara's neck, Buffy inhales deeply of Tara's scent, feeling content to have her in her arms. "So, what did you two do while I was on patrol?"
"Finished baking pies and talked about you." Joyce grins as she finishes her tea and places the mug in the sink.
"Good things, of course." Buffy raises an eyebrow at her mom.
"But of course." Joyce smirks. "I'm going to watch television for a while, if you two want to join me." Joyce makes the offer as she walks out of the kitchen to sit down in the chair in the living room.
"Want to watch some TV, sweetie?" Tara questions quietly.
"Only if I can snuggle up on the couch in your arms." Buffy murmurs quietly.
"Hmmm. You in my arms sounds like a definite plan." Tara smiles softly, as Buffy rubs her nose against her neck. "Your nose is on the cold side, sweetie."
"Cold and wet means I'm healthy, right?" Buffy questions smiling before replacing her cold nose with warm lips.
Groaning quietly Tara leans more into the kiss. "I think I much prefer warm and wet." Tara admits as Buffy's tongue teasingly licks up her neck.
Buffy grins as Tara groans. Placing one more kiss on her lover's neck, Buffy slides her hands away from Tara. "Let's go watch TV with mom." Buffy smiles before placing a quick, but firm kiss on Tara's lips.